Puppet Showplace is New England's Puppet Theater; the first and only theater in the region solely dedicated to high-quality puppetry performance and education for audiences of all ages. Our blog helps readers plug into the puppetry community, learn about upcoming events, or take a behind-the scenes-tour of our many shows and classes.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Adult Classes This Fall!

ADULT PUPPETRY CLASSES AT PST

Classes for adults at PST are the perfect way to take your love of puppetry to the next level. Whether you are an aspiring puppeteer, avid puppet fan, or seasoned performer seeking to learn a new style of puppetry, reserve your spot today!

Furry Monsters 101 starts THIS THURSDAY! There are still a couple of spots available!

About the class: This class will focus on the proper manipulation of Muppet-style hand and rod puppets regularly featured on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Avenue Q. Professional puppeteers know how to make these characters appear as living, breathing beings with their own thoughts, desires, and motivations. After learning the basics of proper body position, breathing, lip-synch, and focus, your hand will start to have a mind of its own.

Students will produce an original sketch of their own from beginning to end which will be showcased on Saturday 10/15 @ 8:00 pm. In-class practice puppets and camera equipment will be provided by the instructor. This is an ideal class for actors, comedians, die-hard Muppet fans, dancers, animators, or anyone interested in learning puppetry. Class size is limited: enroll today!

About this class: Puppets are moving sculptures carefully crafted to be brought to life. Engineering plays a crucial role in shaping a puppet's character and movement abilities. In "Puppet Building 101" participants will each create an original sculpted hand puppet from scratch. To begin, class members will learn how to turn their ideas into drawn designs, ready to be produced. From there, participants will learn how to sculpt plasticine, apply paper mache, pattern and sew fabric, and apply other materials to turn their designs into fully functional, performance-ready works of art!

Note: While hand puppets are the primary example that will be used in class, the methods and materials presented in "Puppet Building 101" can be applied to many different styles of puppet construction.